In Tasmania, PTIC females were in abundance this week, with more than 300 offered from the north of the state. The annual production sale of the Panshanger Estate Angus herd saw 174 breeders offered, with these four-year-old quality Angus cows, 4-6 months in calf to Angus bulls, topping the market at $1750.

YOUNG cattle prices trended sharply downwards on AuctionsPlus this week, where listings eased to 10,393 head across five commercial sales. Tough seasonal conditions prevail across large parts of southern Australia, pushing large numbers through physical saleyards nationally.

All steer categories from less than 250kg to +350kg were back at least 20c/kg last week, and in places more than 40c/kg. Most heifer values also fell sharply.

While clearance rates continue to reflect widespread turnoff due to deteriorating seasonal conditions across NSW and Victoria, the number of online auction attendees remains steady week-on-week.

Elders Queensland livestock manager Paul Holm said, “Now presents a great opportunity for agents to change their conversations and look not to the lowering prices, but the opportunities they bring. The market is the market – there is an opportunity to purchase stock for less than what has been previously available. Seize the opportunity – there is a reward for optimism,” he said.

Joined females last week were in short supply, slipping to 603 head. PTIC and joined cows were mixed in quality to average $991 and sold to a top of $1500 for a line of rising three-year-old PTIC Angus cows from Straban, Walcha, NSW. A line of mixed-age station-mated Angus/Hereford cows from Keith, SA sold for $800.

PTIC heifers averaged $1576, an increase of $200 on last week, including four lots of 24 PTIC Angus heifers from Noonga, Spring Ridge, NSW, which returned $1700.

Cow and calf units averaged $1153 and sold between $960 and $1300. From Longarm, Barraba, NSW, a line of three-year-old Shorthorn cows with 86kg Speckle Park and Shorthorn-sired calves at foot sold for $1200.

Two-year-old Poll Hereford cows with 83kg calves by Angus bulls from Orange, NSW sold for $1300 while a line of rising four-year-old PTIC Angus cows with calves from Forest Lodge, Killarney, QLD made solid money in the 3-in-1 unit market, returning $1960. With Angus calves at foot averaging 217kg, these cows were offered four months in calf to Angus bulls.

Ben Sharpe, Ray White Rural Tenterfield, NSW offered six lots in the Weaner & Yearling and Eastern States sales, and recorded 100pc clearance.

To quote Ben on his successful results, “AuctionsPlus is a tool, not an exercise. You list the cattle to sell them, not to see what they’re worth. So, reserve them accordingly and let them find their own value.”

In larger lines from North Queensland, Olga Downs, Richmond offered 144 HGP-free Droughtmaster & Droughtmaster X weaned steers, aged 8-14 months which returned $830/ 306c.

From Cressaire, Goondiwindi, EU eligible and PCAS accredited steer and heifer weaners were offered, with 80 weaned Angus x steers 8-14 months, 267kg, returned $810/303c/kg; and a line of 48 Angus x heifers 8-10 months, 242kg, returned $610/ 252c.

Across the border, 88 EU-accredited weaned Angus steers 7-10 months, 268kg  from River View, Tenterfield, sold for $840/ 315c, while their sisters averaging 262kg, returning $670/ 255c.

Weaned Charolais/Shorthorn heifers from Marchmont Park, Coolah 8-9 months and weighing 314kg sold for $775/ 247c, while a line of 110 weaned Angus steers from Gunningrah, Bombala, 7-9 months averaging 287kg returned $800/279c.

A line of 70 weaned Angus steers from Frederick Hill, Benalla, VIC averaging 268kg sold for $800/299c, while Angus feeder steers from Casterton, VIC aged 17-18 months and weighing 413kg, sold for $1100/ 266c.

In Western Australia, 9-11 month old Angus x steers averaging 352kg sold for $1150/327c. A line of mixed sex Charolais and Charolais/Angus weaners 8-9 months averaging 317kg returned $960/303c.

In Tasmania, PTIC females were in abundance, with more than 300 head offered from the north of the state. The annual production sale of the Panshanger Estate Angus herd saw 174 breeders offered, with four-year-old quality Angus cows, 4-6 months in calf to Angus bulls, topping the market at $1750.

From Bothwell in southern Tasmania, Poll Hereford steers 16-20 months averaging 336kg returned $840/ 250c.

In a breakdown of young cattle prices, by weightrange:

• Steers less than 250kg sold from 274c to 302c to average 274c/kg; while heifers sold from 239-276c to average 257c
• Steers 250-300kg sold from 266-314c to average 292c; while heifers sold from 236-261c to average 252c
• Steers 300-350kg sold from 250-302c to average 276c; while heifers sold from 247-275c to average 260c
• Steers 350kg+ sold from 267-327c to average 292c; while heifers sold from 259-277c to average 269c

 Steer Highlights

6 to 9 month old, 277kg, Angus steers from BINGARA, NSW sold for 303c/$840

14 to 17 month old, 383kg, Angus steers from DUNGOG, NSW sold for 296c/$1130

14 to 16 month old, 364kg, Senepol/Droughtmaster X steers from GIN GIN, QLD sold for 282c/$1022.

Heifer Highlights

6 to 8 month old, 243kg, Composite/Angus heifers from COOLAH, NSW sold for 261c/$635

10 to 11 month old, 312kg, Angus/Angus/Santa heifers from COONABARABRAN, NSW sold for 258c/$805

15 to 21 month old, 382 kg, Charolais/Santa X heifers from ESKDALE, QLD sold for 278c/$1060.